Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma Definition

For those who are suffering from or may be interested to know as to what is fibroadenoma of the breast, must be enlightened with the fact that breast fibroadenoma is a non-cancerous breast tumour that most adolescent girls and young women suffer from. It is characterized by the formation and development of fibroadenoma breast lumps, which are composed of fibrous and breast glandular tissue. It occurs in the terminal duct lobular unit of the breast. Benign fibroadenoma in breast of teenagers is called juvenile fibroadenoma. Breast lump fibroadenoma tumour may either remain the same size or may even enlarge with time. One suffering from multiple fibroadenoma is a case related to complex fibroadenoma. Fibroadenomas are a common occurrence among the females and may easily get treated without any serious concern. It is also known as ‘Cellular Fibroadenoma’ because its impact on the breast cells and tissues.

Picture 1 – Fibroadenoma
Source – www.womenhealthzone.com

Fibroadenoma may be further classified as pericanalicular and intracanalicular types. In case of the former, the stromal tissues around the ducts proliferate, which gives the fibroadenomas a round or an oval shape. On the other hand, the latter form is characterized by the proliferation of the stromal tissues which are by nature irregular and are cut to slits in size. This is the reason behind the hard and tough nature of pericanalicular fibroadenomas which are against the soft and incomplete nature of the intracanalicular types. They are more frequent in black women than their white counterparts.

Fibroadenoma Symptoms

The symptoms of fibroadenoma are the growth and development of fibroadenoma breast lumps which are by nature firm to touch, painless, smooth, rubbery, solitary, and round by shape. The fibroadenoma lumps are also characterized by their distinct borders which they create for themselves. They are also referred to as breast mice, owing to their mobile and escaping nature. Fibroadenoma size varies from one to two inches. Juvenile fibroadenomas are usually an inch by size. But when they assume a greater proportion of more than four inches, one is said to suffer from giant fibroadenoma. Typical involuting fibroadenoma is characterized popcorn-like macro calcifications. One can associate fibroadenoma pain only in such extreme cases.

Fibroadenomas usually recedes with age but may also affect on rare occasions women who have progressed to menopausal age. But, normally women by this age experience a degenerating fibroadenoma. Fibroadenoma and pregnancy are highly associated with each other as one usually suffers from the same during pregnancy.

However, fibroadenomas usually do not occur in males but rare cases may be associated with fibroadenoma phyllodes or fibro epithelial tumours.

Fibroadenoma Pictures

For getting an idea as to how a breast with Fibroadenoma may look like, one may take a view at some of the fibroadenoma images that have been displayed as under.

Picture 2 – Fibroadenoma Breast Lump
Source – www.medical-definitions.com

Fibroadenoma Causes

Scientists have not been able to detect the exact cause of fibroadenoma yet, but it is mostly believed to be caused due to reproductive hormonal changes. It occurs in greater frequency during one’s reproductive age and is highly influenced by the activities of estrogen and progesterone. Their growth and recedence depends on the menstrual cycle of individuals of the fairer sex. Women undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) are also quite susceptible to fibroadenoma. Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia may be responsible for triggering atypical fibroadenoma. And this may also cause hyalinised fibroadenoma with calcifications.

Fibroadenoma Complications

One suffers from Fibroadenoma cancer risk, when one develops complex fibroadenoma. It is characterized by the formation of cysts and is extremely a rare case of occurrence. People suffering from involuting fibroadenoma may also develop calcifications which aggravate to cause breast cancer. It is in this case that fibroadenoma removal becomes necessary. Otherwise, it cannot be regarded as a premalignant condition per se.

Fibroadenoma Diagnosis

One may diagnose fibroadenoma by various means and methods but the diagnosis depends on the age and the lump symptoms. The first method is to physically examine the fibroadenoma lumps of the breast. After this careful observation does one refer the sufferer for further diagnosis.

Juvenile fibroadenoma is detected by breast fibroadenoma ultrasound test. It detects the cause of fibroadenoma by examining the nature of the breast lump. Fibroadenoma on ultrasound appears as a solid mass of breast lump.

Picture 3 – Fibroadenoma Ultrasound Image
Source – www.nexradiology.blogspot.com

For young women within thirty years of age or above, a mammography is conducted which is a kind of x-ray that is performed on the breast to ascertain the cause of Fibroadenoma. The image created on a mammogram in case of fibroadenoma is of a solid mass or lump that is smooth and round by nature and can be distinguished from the other breast tissues by its round edges.

One may also have to undergo fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in which case a fine thin needle is inserted into the lump of the breast to check if fluids ooze out. The oozing of fluids from the breast lump indicates the growth of a cyst in place of fibroadenoma.

A core fibroadenoma biopsy may also aid the detection of the problem and its proper analysis. It entails the use of a much larger needle as against a thin one used in case of FNAC. In fact, all these methods combined can give a definite and proper detection or diagnosis of the problem. It is only with the help of these methods can doctors and medical scientists understand the proper fibroadenoma histology.

Fibroadenoma Treatment

Fibroadenoma breast treatment depends on the symptoms and the diagnosis of the ailment. Usually in case of mild fibroadenoma, which is painless by nature and small by size, no specific treatment is required except for regular monitoring for the purpose of restricting its growth. But in case of serious forms of Fibroadenoma, one may have to undergo a fibroadenoma surgery or fibroadenoma excision.

The fibroadenoma removal surgery is also known as excisional biopsy or Lumpectomy. The fibroadenoma removal surgery procedure is the initial examination of the breast tissue, and its removal while the patient is anaesthetic. This is done so as to prevent the patient to suffer from the pain associated with the fibroadenoma removal. Further the removed tissue is taken in the laboratory to check for the possibility of fibroadenoma cancer. But in the process of removal, one may develop fibroadenoma removal scar due to the tools involved to operate a sensitive area. The question should fibroadenoma be removed, may have a debatable answer with proponents going for it for self-satisfaction and for the purpose of experiencing a peace of mind. But the opponents do not encourage the same unless in very serious cases for the reason that it might lead to the distortion of the shape and texture of the breast.

However, one may opt for Cryoablation fibroadenoma Treatment, which is a safer and more effective alternative to a surgery. It rests on the use of fibroadenoma ultrasound images that probe the nature of the affected breast tissue and putting the same under freezing temperatures so as to destroy the abnormal fibroadenoma cells. It aids the re-absorption of healthy cells into the body. Another alternative is to undergo a laser ablation which uses heat to destroy the affected cells and tissues.

A vacuum assisted biopsy, also called fibroadenoma mamario may also help one to avoid the consequences of a surgical removal of fibroadenoma. Natural remedies such as Fibrosolve may also be useful but the effectiveness is due to be proved.

Although fibroadenoma can rarely cause breast cancer, yet it has been found out recently that women with this problem are at a higher risk of being vulnerable to breast cancer. So it is advisable for patients to get diagnosed and begin the treatment at an immediate level so as to avoid the consequences of the same, which if associated with cancer can lead to a very painful and pathetic death.